06-15-2014, 08:55 PM
I think one of the best depictions of the shield curvature (and the classic 'fighting stance') is this one from the Mainz column bases:
![[Image: kaestrich_pedestals_a5_fight_lm.JPG]](http://www.livius.org/a/germany/mainz/kaestrich_pedestals_a5_fight_lm.JPG)
Quite a deep curve on the shield held up by the legionary in the rear.
The stance of the main figure here, as with the Adamklissi figures, seems to show that with the shield held tight against the left side the curvature should cover the body to more or less mid chest, and the same at the back.
The curve also allows the soldier to strike with the sword around the right edge of the shield without having to move the shield too much or stretch his arm out too far.
A flatter shield would make it much more difficult to fight in this stance, suggesting that auxiliaries - and later troops using flat or dished ovals - fought in a different way to legionaries of the principiate.
Quite a deep curve on the shield held up by the legionary in the rear.
The stance of the main figure here, as with the Adamklissi figures, seems to show that with the shield held tight against the left side the curvature should cover the body to more or less mid chest, and the same at the back.
The curve also allows the soldier to strike with the sword around the right edge of the shield without having to move the shield too much or stretch his arm out too far.
A flatter shield would make it much more difficult to fight in this stance, suggesting that auxiliaries - and later troops using flat or dished ovals - fought in a different way to legionaries of the principiate.
Nathan Ross
